Automatic egg-boiler.



PATENTBD FEB. 11: 1908.

L. LECLERC.

` AUTOMATIC EGG BOILBR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 1;

" mmf me az's'l eclezc Ano/INE rs l -BY Nn. 879,057. PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908.

L. LECLERC.

f AUTOMATIC EGG BOILER.

APPLIGATIDI FILED JULY 6. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. INVENTOH .w/TNESSE Y Zaz'sec-Zerc Y fr, 1M,

LQ\ ATTORNEYS UNirnD LOUIS LECLERC, Ol" NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC E GG-B OILER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application tiled July 6. 1907. Serial Nn. 382.529.

T c all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Loifis LECLERC, a citizen of the Re ublic of France, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, i

roduce a device of simple construction not involving a clock movement, which will operate to boil eggs and remove them automatically after the expirition of a predetermined period.

The invention is intended te be es ecially useful in kitchens of'restaurants ant hotels. It is also useful in private families.

The invention consist-s in the construction and combination of` parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the tigures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the eg r boiler,

certain parts beiniy broken away an shown l in cross section; `ig. '.2 is a front elevation of the device showing it with its )arts in a different relation from that in which they are shown in Fiv. l Fig. 3 is a vertical cross scction through the teetentube, which constitutes a feature-of the invention; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the teeter tube,

a portion of the body of the tube being broken away; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the lower portion of a cup which constitutes a feature of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the parts, l represents the body of the boiler, consisting of an o )en pan in which water is placed in which t e eggs are to bc boiled. To this pan a frame 2 is attached, the same having the form of a gallows and comprism r oppositelv disposed standards 3 formed o flat metal.

These standards are otl'set inwardly so that the present upright extensions 4 lying paralle and near to cach other as shown in Fig. 5

These extensions unite integrally at their jecting arm 5 is attached. right extensions 4 a teeter tube is pivotal upper ends, at which point an outwardly pro- Between the up- L y attachment of the link hai' 1S as the long arm of the tube.

' Sli pivot screws 7 which extend throuffh the u rights from the outer sides thereo as indicated in Fig. 3. Within the teeter tube 6 there isl placed a ball b of'substantiel weight and this ball is formed of lead or similar material. The tube is supported near its middle point, and the point of support ma bo adijusted, for which purpose the sides o the tu )c are provided with a plurality of longitudinally disposed opcningsQopposite to each other, it being understood that the pivot screws or gudgeons 7 mav be inserted in any of these openings. As illustrated in Fig. l, the principal portion of the tube ti projects at the left side, and this may be considered This arm is provided oii its upper and lower sides with a plurality of openings 1U which are adapted to receive a removable pin ll, as indicated in Fig. 4. This )in is intended to operate as a stop to limit tlie movement of the ball in its movement toward the end of the long arm of the tube. The relation of this construction to the rest of the mechanism will appear more fully hereinafter. In the opposite end of the tube a buffer spring l2 is mounted, which absorbs the shock if the. ball is suddenly run to the opposite end of the tube when this end is lower than the long arm. To the short arm of the tube, which projects at the right as indicated in Fi". l, a cup holder i3 is attached, said cup hol er consisting of a ring 14 upon which a clip l5 seats. This ring 14 is provided with downwardly extending arms 1G which are disposed opposite to eachother as shown. Between these arms there is attached a yoke pin l?, the middle portion ofwhich is bowed upwardly as indicated in Fig. 2, so as to rest upon the upper side of the tecter tube. The cup holder 13 is `nk bnr or rack 18 which is disposed parallel to the axis of the tube, and is pivotally attached on a cross pin i9 disposed between the extensions` 4. Adjacent to the cup l5 the link bar is pivotallv attached between the arms lt upon a suitable cross pin or pivot pin 20. The cross pinv lil is removable, and the link har is provided with a pluralit of longitudinall' disposed openings 2l which are arranged) opposite to the openings 9. From this arrangement, when the point of support of the tube is adjusted, the point of to the crosslpin )ported in an upright position by means of in connection with its attached parts, constitutes what is known as a parallel movement' device. By reason of the manner in wlilcli this device supports the cup holder, it should i be understood that if the cupholderdescends, the cup 15 will always be liehl in an upright or vertical position. The cup 15 which has been referred to above. may be considered as a main cup. ln addition to this main cup, I provide a feeder cup 22. This cup is supported upon a cliaiu '.23 running over guide pulleys 24 and 25 carried by tie aforesaid arm 5. The guide pulley 25 is disposed near the inner end ofthe arm, and from this guide pulley the chain 23 extends downwardly and passes around another guide pulley 26 which is disposed near the lower portion of the extensions "4, The object in supporting the feeder cup in this manner will appear more fully hereinafter. It is sufficient at this time to saythat the feeder cup is raised automatic- ,allywhen the eggs are put in the boiler. The mechanism for this purpose will be described lnore fully hereinafter.

The feeder cu i 22 is provided with a tube 27 which extends upwardly within the body of the cup, the upper end of the tube being disposed near the u iper edge of the cup as shown in Fig. 1. his tube projects below the bott-0in of the cup 22, and is connected by means of a flexible hose 28 with an opening 29 through the bottom of the cup 15. This hose 2S may be considered as a feed hose. In addition to the feed hose, the bottoms of the cups 15 and 22 are connected by l a return hose 30. ls indicated in Fig. 5, the hose 30 connects with the interior of the cup 15 through a restricted opening 31, while the opening 29 with which the tube 2S connects, f

is of much larger diameter.

Between the upright extensions 4 the frame is provided with a pair of arms 32 which project toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1. The outer extremities of these arms are connected b v a ratchet shaft or arbor '33 carrying a rigid ratchet wheel 34, the teeth whereof project toward the right on the upper side of the wheel. as indicated in Fig. 1. (hi the shaft 33 a pullcv or druiu 35 is irovided, the saine being disposed at the lef viewed in Fig. 2.

'lhe aforesaid chain 23 after passing;

around the guide pulley 26, is wrapped around this drum 35 from the under side.

Near the ratchet wheel 34 the shaft 33 is lpro j vided with u chain wheel 36. l'pon this c iain wheel a chain 37 is hung, the free end of the4 chain supporting a counterweight 3S. l* rom the chain wheel 36 the chain 37 extends in toward the frame 2 where it passes around a f asses downj guide pullev 39, whence it wardly and is attached to a has 'et 40 formed of wire gauze or similar material. lt should be understood that this basket 40 is adapted tus' l in full lines in Fig. 1, so that it may hold the eggs which are to be `boiled, in the boiling l water. As the chain runs out, it rotates the l ratchet wheel 34. In order to prevent the lweight 3S from pulling the basket immediately out of the water, I provide a detentf pawl 4l which is pivotall).- attached on a suitl able bracket 42 connected to the arms 32 as indicated in Fig. 1. This pawl operates to l maintain itself in engagement with the l ratchet teeth by gravity. When the basket lis placed within the pan or boiler 1, the l weight. 33 is held in an elevated posit'on, and j this weight 38 should be composed o reinovable sections or small weights which permit the total weight to be adjusted to suit the I number of eggs in the basket. The pawl 41 is formed with a rearward extension or tail 43 l which projects toward the frame and lies uni der the short arm of the teeter tube 6. On the under side of this teeter tube atthis point, a pin 44 is provided, which is adapted i to strike the tail 43 of the pawl when the i short arm of the tube descends, as will be del scribed hereinafter.

()n the side of the pan 1 a bracket 45 is at' tached, on thejupper side of which a buffer I spring 46 is placed upon which the weight 38 descends, as will appear hereinafter. l The operation of the egg boiler will now be i described: The parts are set in the relation j shown in F ig. 1 when the eggs are to be boiled, 1 the eggs having been laced in the basket 40. lt will be understoo( that in order to withdraw the eggs, it will only be necessary to rel lease the ratchet wheel 34 from its pawl 41, l whereu ion thecounterweight 38 will descend l and withdraw the eggs by raising the basket to the position in which it is shown in dotted l lines in Fig. l. At this time the feed cup 22 lis supported in an elevated position; 1t is provided with a quantity of water, and this j water finds its way through the tube 30 and I the restricted opening 31 into the main cup 15. In this` way the weight of the main cup I which is supported by the short arm of the teeter tube, increases gradually. When it l has increased sutlciently it will counterbalance the ball or the counterweight 8 which lies against the stop pinll in the long arm of the tube. As soon as the ball is counterbalanced in this wav, the cup 15 descends, pushing down. the short' arm of the teeter tube. ln this way the pin 44 is made to descend u on the tail 43 of the pawil 41, and the rate et wheel 34 is released. The weight. 38 then operates to withdraw the lbasket 40 from the boiler l, as suggested above. At the same time the rotation of the shaft 33 unwinds the chain 23 which supports the feed cu i, and this feed cup then descends f to a level low that of the main cup 15. l The water which has flowed into the main cu 15 will then return to the feed cup 22 througii I l l .,-5 to be depressed into the pan 1, iis indicated l the return tube 28 and the tube 27. lt will .TT Y- take only an instant for the water to return in this manner, on account of the fact that the duct through which the water flows in this case, is quite large, as indicated in Fig. By reason of the tube :27, thelnou'th of which is above `the level of the water in the cup ."2, it is not possible for the water to flow to the main cup from the feed cup through the tube 2H; it must pass through the tube 3U and the restricted opening. ln this way the flowing of the water when the boiler is in active operation, is restricted, and the device is enabled to operate with a relatively small quantity of water.l lf the eggs are to be boiled a longer time,'the stop pin ll is moved toward the outer "end of the tube; if they are to be boiled a shorter time, it is moved toward the middle point of the tube, or inwardly. 'l he ellect of changing the )osition of the pin will be readily understood, as the teeter tube simply constitutes a lever, and when the pin is moved inwardly, the force to raise the long arm and overcome the weight of the ball .s will, of course, be proportionately less.

With an egg boiler constructed as described, the eggs may be placed in the basket and held in tht-'water for a length of time which is determined b v the position of the pin ll. As soon as this time elapses, the weight of the ball in the main cup 15 will have overbalanced the weight of the ball and thrown the tube Ainto an op iosit-e position, indicated in dotted lines in liig. 1, releasing the ratchet wheel and removing the eggs ir the manner described above.

Special attention is called to the means for preventing the ilow of water from the feed cup to the main cup through the return tube, which is only used for a flow of the waterin the reverse direction. Special attention is also called to the feature of lowering the feed cup 22 'simultaneously with the withdrawing of the 'egg basket. On account of this arrangement, the feed cup then autonmtically lillsand is all ready and full of water when the eggs are to be placed in the basket again.`

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. lu an automatic egg boiler, in combination, an egg basket, a main cup, a feed cup adapted to drain into said main cup, means for normally su )porting said feed cup above the level of said main` cup, means controlled by the weight of said main cup to withdraw said basket, and automatic means fordepressing said feed cup to return the water thereto when said baskctis withdrawn.

2. In an automatic egg boiler, in combination, a main cup, a feed cup, hose connecting said cups, meansfor changing the relative sition of saidcups to permit a liquid to ow in either 4direction therebetween, and

tion, a main cup, a fee( means for withdrawing the eg controlled by said main cup.

3. In an automatic egg boiler, in combination, a main cup, a feed cu means for changing the elevation of sail cu s, means permit-ting a free llow of liquid rom said main cup to said feed cu means for permitting a restricted llow of iquid from said feed cup to said main cup, and means for withdrawing the eggs, actuated bv said main cup.

4. In an automatic egg boiler, in combination, a teeter, an adjustable weight thereupon, a cup counterbalancing said weight, means for supplying a material to said cup to weight the same, mechanism for withdrawing the eggs, normally held in check, and means for releasing said last mechanism by said cup.

5. In an automatic egg boiler, in combination, a frame, a teeter adjustably supported upon said frame, a weight adjustably supported on said teeter, acup normally held 1n an elevated position and adapted to overbalance said weight when loaded, means for supplying a material to s aid cup to weight the same, and mechanism for withdrawing the eggs, actuated by said teeter.

6. In an automatic egg boiler, in combination, an egg basket. a chain and counterweight tendin f to withdraw the same, a cup,

means for grat ually loading said cup, means for counterbalaneing said cup, and means for releasing said weight when said cup descends.

7. I n an automatic egg boiler, in combination, a counterweighted main cup, a feed cup, means "for holding said feed cup in an elevated or depressed osition with respect to said main cup, a rose connecting said cups, attached to said feed cup at a low level and through which'a liquid may flow from said feed cup when elevated, and a second hose connecting said cu s, communicating with said feed cup at a iigh level whereby said hose will only permit a flow from said main cup to said feed cup, the flow through said first hose being restricted so that considerable time is consumed in the flow, the flow through said second hose being free so that the return to said feed cup is quickened.

8. In an egg boiler, in combination, a main cu and a feed cup, means for su porting said eu s so that either may be tie more elevate( hose connecting said cups' and through which va liquid may flow between,

said cups, mechanism tending to withdraw the egg and tending to lower said feed cup, and means for releasing said mechanism when said main cup is loaded.

9. In an automatic egg boiler, in combinacup having a tube with its mouth at a high level therein, a hose connecting the lower end of said tube with said main cup and adapted to return a liquid from said main cup to said feed cup, a second hose adapted to conduct a liquid from 10 winding on said pulley and lsupporting said I said feed cup to said mais cup and connected feed cup, and means for en aging said pawl with said feed cup at a low level therein, a when said main cu deseen s.

chain wheel, a chain running over the saine, InA testimony w ereof I beve signed my an egg basket supported by said chain, a. name to this specification in the presence of weight.carried by sali d chain alud adiptled t? l two subscribinglr witnesses.

raise thesaid ev bas et,aratc ietw ee rigi( l Y w with said chaaiplig wheel, a' ratchet engaging:vl Lohn LECLERL" said ratchet wheel, a pulle rigid with said chain wheel and rotating t ierewith, a. chain l Witnesses:

F. D. AMMEN, `JOHN P. DAVIS. 

